Control system for trolling motor

ABSTRACT

An electric outboard motor assembly and storage housing therefor. The storage housing encloses a source of electrical potential for the outboard motor, a steering control assembly and a voltage control assembly for the motor. The housing may be positioned remotely relative to the motor and the steering and voltage control assemblies may be removably supported on the exterior of the housing and operated from adjacent the latter by control portions thereof movably supported from the housing.

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[54] CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TROLLING MOTOR ABSTRACT: An electric outboard moto storage housing therefor. The stora source of electrical potential for the ing control assembly and a volt motor. The housing may be motor and the steering and removably supported on 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

r assembly and ge housing encloses a 115/18 21/26 outboard motor, a steer- 115/18; age control assembly for the 1 14/144, 153 positioned remotely relative to the voltage control assemblies may be the exterior of the housing and operated from adjacent the latter by control portions thereof [51] [50] FieldofSearch..

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,804,838 9/1957 Moser....r...........r...

movably supported fromthe housing.

' PATENTED FEB 919m SHEET 1 0F 3 Warren 0. Forfson INVIL'NTOK PATENTEU FEB 9 l9?! v SHEET 2 OF 3 .mgmm

PATENTED FEB 91971 SHEET 3 OF 3 Warren 0. Forfson INVIiNTOK.

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TROLLING MOTOR The control system of the instant invention is primarily designed for use by fishermen in that it includes a storage housing in which the associated electric outboard motor may be stored. in addition, the support structure by which the outboard motor is to be supported from a boat may also be stored within the housing in addition to a storage battery and voltage and steering control assemblies including movable actuators supportable exteriorly of the housing. Also, flexible conductor means and motion transmitting means are provided for operatively connecting the voltage control and steering controls to the outboard motor in order that the control station of the motor may be variously placed in the associated boat.

The movable control actuator portions of the voltage control and steering control are supported from the housing in unique relation relative to each other whereby both may be operated simultaneously by a single limb of the operator. The voltage control includes a movable foot treadle and the steering control actuator portion includes a horizontally swingable and knee engageable arm spaced above the foot treadle a distance generally equal to the distance between an average persons foot and his knee. In this manner, the operator of the voltage and steering controls may control the speed of operation of the electric outboard motor with his foot while at the same time controlling steering movement of the outboard motor by swinging his knee from side-to-side.

The main object of this invention is to provide a control system for an electric trolling motor including a storage housing which may be readily handled and transported from one location to another and which is capable of containing substantially all portions of the outboard motor and its steering and voltage controls as well as a source of electric potential for the outboard motor therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel voltage control and steering control assembly whereby each control may be simultaneously actuated by a single limb of the operator of the associated electric outboard motor.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved mounting for supporting an electric outboard motor from any gunwale or transom portion of an associated boat in a manner such that the outboard motor may be readily swiveled about an upstanding axis and also about a horizontal axis for tilting up out of the water should an underwater obstacle be contacted.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a control system for an electric trolling motor which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary top plan view of the forward portion of a fishing boat with the control assembly of the instant invention selectively positioned adjacent a seat structure of the boat for operation by an operator seated upon the seat and the motor mount portion of the assembly operatively supporting the associated electric outboard motor from the forward portion of the starboard gunwale of the boat;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electric outboard motor and the motor mounting or support portion of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of one portion of the control system utilized for steering the outboard motor;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing portion of the instant invention with its cover removed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting plate portion of the housing from which the actuator for the steering control portion of the invention is supported; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the housing with its closure cover applied and the major portion of the electric outboard motor stored therein.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a small fishing boat or skiff including a starboard gunwale 12, a transverse seat I4 and a floor or bottom 16.

The control system of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 18 and is adapted to be utilized in conjunction with an electric outboard motor referred to in general by the reference numeral 20 including a lower motor and propeller unit 22 carried by the lower end of a tubular support shaft 24 including a female plug 26 at its upper end and conductor means 28 electrically connecting the female plug socket 26 to the motor and propeller unit 22.

The control system 18 includes a mounting assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 30 and the assembly 30 includes a U-shaped channel member 32 for disposition over the gunwale l2 and having a pair of clamp screws 34 threadedly engaged with one flange 36 of the channel member 32. A horizontal extension flange 38 is carried by the outer side of the channel member 32 and rotatably receives a clamp screw 40 therethrough including a laterally directed upper handle portion 42. A tubular support beam 44 is provided and one end of the support beam 44 includes registered vertical bores (not shown) through which the clamp screw 40 is passed and the undersurface of the support beam 44 has a threaded nut 46 secured thereto in alignment with the lower bore through which the clamp screw 40 passes and in which the clamp screw 40 is threadedly engaged. Accordingly, the clamp screw 40 supports the support beam 44 from the extension flange 38 and may be tightened to retain the support beam 44 in adjusted angularly displaced positions.

A channel clamp member 48 is slidably disposed on the outer end of the support beam 44 and includes a clamp screw 50 for releasably securing the clamp member 48 in adjusted position longitudinally of the support beam 44. Further, the clamp member 48 includes a pair of furcations 52 between which a pair of furcations 54 carried by a support bracket 56 are pivotally secured by means of a pivot fastener 58. The support bracket includes upper and lower flanges 60 and 62 having aligned bores 64 and 66, respectively, formed therethrough and the support shaft 24 is slidably and rotatably received through the bores 64 and 66. A clamptype stop sleeve or ring 68 slidable on the support shaft 24 and secured in adjusted position therealong by means of a setscrew 70 is disposed about the support shaft 24 above the upper flange 60 against which the stop ring or collar 68 is abutted. Accordingly, the support shaft 24 is limited in downward sliding movement relative to the support bracket 56 by means of a stop or abutment ring 68.

A control collar 72 is mounted on the upper end of the support shaft 24 above the stop ring 68 and includes a setscrew 74 for retaining the collar 72 in adjusted rotated position on the support shaft 24. Further, the collar 72 includes a horizontal slot 76 and a clamp screw 78 whereby the flange portion 80 defining the upper extremity of the slot 76 may be drawn downwardly toward the portion of the collar 72 disposed below the slot 76.

An L-shaped bracket 82 including a vertical flange 84 and a horizontal flange 86 has its vertical flange 84 secured to the bight portion 88 of the bracket 56 by means of fasteners 90. The upper surface of the horizontal flange 86 includes a longitudinal groove 92 and an adjusting plate 94 is provided and secured over the horizontal flange 86 by means of a clamp screw 96 passed through a bore 98 in the adjusting plate 94 and secured through a slot 100 formed in the horizontal flange 86. The adjusting screw 96 is secured through the horizontal flange 86 by means of a threaded fastener 102. Further, the adjusting plate 94 includes a pair of downwardly struck tongue portions 103 which key the adjusting plate 94 to the horizontal flange 86 against rotation of the adjusting plate 94 about an upstanding axis relative to the horizontal flange 86. f course, the downwardly struck tongue portions 103 are slidable longitudinally through the groove or channel 92 and in this manner the adjusting plate 94 may be positioned relative to the collar 72. Also, a mounting bracket 104 is secured to the end of the adjusting plate 94 remote from the collar 72 by means of a plurality of fasteners 106 and has a horizontal bore 108 formed therethrough.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. -7 of the drawings there may be seen a housing referred to in general by the reference numeral 110 and which includes opposite end walls 112 and 114 and opposite sidewalls 116 and 118. 1n addition, the housing 110 includes a plurality of transverse partitions 120 and 122 and a longitudinal partition 124 extending between the end wall 112 and the partition 120.

A mounting plate 126 is provided and includes a pair of outwardly projecting locating pins 128 at one end and also has a notch 130 formed in the end from which the locating pins 120 projects centrally intermediate the latter. The end of the mounting plate 126 remote from the locating pins 128 includes an upturned flange 132 which is notched as at 134 and 136 and a horizontal mounting flange portion 138 projects e tdwise outwardly from the end of the mounting plate 126 on which the flange 132 is formed. Further, a pair of threaded locating shanks 140 are carried by the end of the mounting plate 126 remote from the locating pins 128 and a sleeve 142 is rotatably supported from the mounting flange 138 for rotation about an upstanding axis and includes a pair of angulated force arms 144 as well as a setscrew 146. The mounting plate is securable transversely over the open upper end of the housing 110 with the locating pins 128 received through bores (not shown) formed in the sidewall 116 and aligned with the lower extremities of the notches 148 formed in the sidewall 118. Threaded wing nuts 150 are provided and threadedly engaged on the locating shanks 140 and are utilized to clampingly secure the mounting panel 126 in position across the open top of the housing 110.

A fool treadle assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 154 is provided and includes a base plate 156 adapted to rest on the bottom 16 of the boat and from which a foot treadle 158 is pivotally supported as at 160. The base plate 156 has the lower end of an upstanding support bracket 162 pivotally secured thereto as at 163 in the upper end of the support bracket 162 includes a downturned end portion 164 which coacts with the remainder of the support bracket 162 to form a clamp which may be engaged with the marginal portion of the sidewall 118 of the housing 110 defin ing the lower extremity of a notch 166 formed in the upper marginal edge portion of the sidewall 118. Thus, the foot treadle assembly 154 is supported from the housing and the floor upon which the housing 110 rests.

The upper end of the support bracket 162 has a rheostat assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 168 supported therefrom with a movable actuator 170 to which the upper end of a control rod 172 is pivotally secured. The lower end of the control rod 172 is pivotally secured to the end of the foot treadle 158 adjacent the support bracket 162 and accordingly, the control rod 172 may be vertically reciprocated in response to oscillation of the foot treadle 158.

The portion of the interior of the housing disposed between the partitions 120 and 122 and beneath the mounting plate 126 defines a compartment in which a storage battery may be received and suitable wires 176 may extend from the rheostat 168 to the storage battery (not shown) thereby electrically connecting the battery to the rheostat. In addition, suitable wires 178 extend from the rheostat 168 into and through a rubber sleeve 180 having one end thereof removably clamped to the mounting plate 126 as by a clamp 182. The ends of the wires 178 remote from the rheostat 168 exit from the end of the sleeve 180 which is clamped to the adjustingplate 94 by means of the mounting bracket 104 and extend to a male plug member 184 releasably electrically engageable with the female plugs 26. Thus, the storage battery may be electrically connected to the motor and propeller assembly 22 through the rheostat 168.

It is to be noted that the rheostat 168 is of a type capable of reversing the flow ofcurrent from the battery to the motor and propeller assembly 22 and thus that it may be actuated to reverse the boat 10.

Also extending through the covering or sleeve is a pair of outer flexible cable sleeves 188 and 190 and a first pair of ends of the sleeves 188 and 190 are secured to the mounting plate 126 by means of anchor brackets 192. The sleeves 188 and 190 have the opposite end portions of a flexible cable 194 slidingly disposed therein and the free ends of the cable 194 are attached to the free ends of the force arms as at 196. The portion of the cable 194 which projectsfrom the ends of the sleeves 188 and 190 remote from the force arms 144 is clampingly secured in the slot or clamp structure 76 by means of a clamp screw 78 and has a pair of slide abutments 198 including setscrews secured in adjusted positions thereon immediately outwardly of the opposite ends of the slot 76. In this manner, the flexible cable 194 is operatively connected to the support shaft 24 for oscillation of the latter about its longitudinal axis in response to oscillation of the sleeve 142 and force arm 144. Further, the plate 94 may be adjusted to vary the tension of the cable 194.

An upstanding control shaft 200' is provided and is releasably secured in fixed position within the rotatable sleeve 142 by means of the setscrew 146. The upper end of the control shaft 200 includes a laterally directed arm 202, see FIG. 1, terminating at its outer end in a bifurcated end portion or yoke 203 spaced approximately 18 to 24 inches above the foot treadle 158 and adapted to be engaged bythe knee of one leg of the operator 204 of the boat 10. The foot of the same leg of the operator 204 is positioned upon the foot treadle 158 and it may therefore be seen that the operator 204 may not only control the speed and direction of the boat 10 from a seated position but also steer the boat 10 by swinging his knee from side to side in order to oscillate the control shaft 200 and thus the support shaft 24.

it is believed that it may be readily appreciated that the mounting assembly 30 includes structure by which the outboard motor may be readily clampingly supported from the forward portion of a boat independent of the convergence of the bow ends of the gunwales together inasmuch as the support bar 44 may be adjustably rotated relative to the channel member 32 and secured in adjusted rotated position by means of the screw 40. In addition, positioning of the outboard motor outside of the boat may be accomplished by adjusting the clamp member 48. Of course, the outboard motor may tilt up out of the water upon striking a submerged object because of the position of the pivot fastener 58 and the outboard motor may be readily supplied with the desired current and oscillated about its upstanding axis of rotation from within the boat by the operator.

The cable 194 is releasable from the collar 72 and the ad'- justing plate 94 may be released from the horizontal flange 86 and the various components of the. control system may be dis engaged from each other and stored within the various com.- partments of the housing 110 with only one end portionof the support shaft 24 projecting from the housing 110 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Then, the cover 208 for the housing 110 may be disposed thereover andsecured in position by means of the releasable latch assemblies 210 including coacting releasably engageable components. carried by the end walls of the housing 110 and the opposite end of the closurecover 208.

Also, the clamp member 48 includes a pair of outstanding,

vertical flanges 48' between which the adjacent portion of the support shaft 24 is received and which are provided with pairs.

of registered bores 48" through a selected pair of which a removable tilt pin 49 is secured for limiting downward and forward swinging of the lower end of the shaft 24.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

l. A support structure for a low power outboard motor, said structure including a clamp assembly adapted to be clampingly engaged with the gunwale of a boat, an elongated support arm having one end pivotally secured to said clamp assembly for oscillation about an upstanding axis, means operative to releasably secure said support arm in adjusted rotated position relative to said clamp assembly, a support member mounted on said support arm for sliding movement therealong, means operative to releasably secure said support member in adjusted shifted position along said support arm, a support bracket pivotally supported from said support member for oscillation about a horizontal axis generally paralleling said support arm, said support bracket including means operative to oscillatably support the upper end of an outboard motor support shaft therefrom.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the last mentioned means includes means operative to support said shaft from said bracket for vertical adjustment of said shaft relative to said support bracket.

3. A steering control for a low power outboard motor, said control comprising a support bracket adapted to oscillatably support an upstanding support shaft portion of an outboard motor, a torque transfer collar for securement on said support shaft portion adjacent said bracket and against rotation relative to said support shaft, said support bracket including a horizontally outwardly directed arm portion provided with a free outer end portion, an elongated flexible cable assembly including an elongated flexible core member and a pair of tubular axially spaced outer sleeve portions, the adjacent ends of said sleeve portions being secured to a section of said outer end portion and facing said collar, the portion of said core member disposed between the adjacent ends of said sleeve portions being passed about the side of said collar remote from said sleeve portions and anchored to said collar against longitudinal shifting about the periphery of said collar.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said section of said outer end portion is supported from said arm portion for adjustable positioning therealong.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said collar includes means defining a horizontal slot opening in a direction generally opposite to the direction in which the free end portion of said arm portion projects, said portion of said core being clamped in said slot.

6. The combinationof claim 5 wherein a portion of said core includes abutment members spaced therealong and disposed in opposing relation to the portions of said collar defining the oppositeends of said slot.

7. The'combination of claim 1 including a steering control for said motor, said steering control including a torque transfer collar for securement on said support shaft portion adjacent said bracket and against rotation relative to said support shaft, said support bracket including a horizontally outwardly directed arm portion provided with a free outer end portion, an elongated' flexible cable assembly including an elongated flexible core member and a pair of tubular axially spaced outer sleeve portions, the adjacent ends of said sleeve portions being secured to a section of said outer end portion and facing sad collar, the portion of said core member disposed between the adjacent ends of said sleeve portions being passed about the side of said collar remote from said sleeve portions and anchored to said collar against longitudinal shifting about the periphery of said collar.

8. The combin'ation of claim 7 including a storage housing, said housing having internal compartments defined therein adapted to removably receive therein the various components of said support structure and steering control, an outboard motor including an electric motor "and propeller assembly carried by the lower end of an upstanding support shaft, said electric motor and propeller assembly being also removably receivable in said housing.

9. The combination of claim 8 including a control assembly for said outboard motor, said control assembly including a voltage control and a steering control removably supported from the exterior of said housing and including movable actuators operable from the exterior of said housing, said controls being removably positionable in said housing, and flexible conductor and motion transmitting means operatively connected to said controls, said motion transmitting means comprising said cable assembly.

10. A voltage and steering control for an electric outboard motor, said control including an upright support, a foot treadle supported from said support for generally vertical movement .and a knee engageable horizontally shiftable control member supported from said support at above said treadle, said control member being spaced approximately 18 to 24 inches above said foot treadle, said treadle being of the elongated foot supporting type rockably supported for oscillation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the treadle intermediate its opposite ends. I 

1. A support structure for a low power outboard motor, said structure including a clamp assembly adapted to be clampingly engaged with the gunwale of a boat, an elongated support arm having one end pivotally secured to said clamp assembly for oscillation about an upstanding axis, means operative to releasably secure said support arm in adjusted rotated position relative to said clamp assembly, a support member mounted on said support arm for sliding movement therealong, means operative to releasably secure said support member in adjusted shifted position along said support arm, a support bracket pivotally supported from said support member for oscillation about a horizontal axis generally paralleling said support arm, said support bracket including means operative to oscillatably support the upper end of an outboard motor support shaft therefrom.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the last mentioned means includes means operative to support said shaft from said bracket for vertical adjustment of said shaft relative to said support bracket.
 3. A steering control for a low power outboard motor, said control comprising a support bracket adapted to oscillatably support an upstanding support shaft portion of an outboard motor, a torque transfer collar for securement on said support shaft portion adjacent said bracket and against rotation relative to said support shaft, said support bracket including a horizontally outwardly directed arm portion provided with a free outer end portion, an elongated flexible cable assembly including an elongated flexible core member and a pair of tubular axially spaced outer sleeve portions, the adjacent ends of said sleeve portions being secured to a section of said outer end portion and facing said collar, the portion of said core member disposed between the adjacent enDs of said sleeve portions being passed about the side of said collar remote from said sleeve portions and anchored to said collar against longitudinal shifting about the periphery of said collar.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said section of said outer end portion is supported from said arm portion for adjustable positioning therealong.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said collar includes means defining a horizontal slot opening in a direction generally opposite to the direction in which the free end portion of said arm portion projects, said portion of said core being clamped in said slot.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein a portion of said core includes abutment members spaced therealong and disposed in opposing relation to the portions of said collar defining the opposite ends of said slot.
 7. The combination of claim 1 including a steering control for said motor, said steering control including a torque transfer collar for securement on said support shaft portion adjacent said bracket and against rotation relative to said support shaft, said support bracket including a horizontally outwardly directed arm portion provided with a free outer end portion, an elongated flexible cable assembly including an elongated flexible core member and a pair of tubular axially spaced outer sleeve portions, the adjacent ends of said sleeve portions being secured to a section of said outer end portion and facing sad collar, the portion of said core member disposed between the adjacent ends of said sleeve portions being passed about the side of said collar remote from said sleeve portions and anchored to said collar against longitudinal shifting about the periphery of said collar.
 8. The combination of claim 7 including a storage housing, said housing having internal compartments defined therein adapted to removably receive therein the various components of said support structure and steering control, an outboard motor including an electric motor and propeller assembly carried by the lower end of an upstanding support shaft, said electric motor and propeller assembly being also removably receivable in said housing.
 9. The combination of claim 8 including a control assembly for said outboard motor, said control assembly including a voltage control and a steering control removably supported from the exterior of said housing and including movable actuators operable from the exterior of said housing, said controls being removably positionable in said housing, and flexible conductor and motion transmitting means operatively connected to said controls, said motion transmitting means comprising said cable assembly.
 10. A voltage and steering control for an electric outboard motor, said control including an upright support, a foot treadle supported from said support for generally vertical movement and a knee engageable horizontally shiftable control member supported from said support at above said treadle, said control member being spaced approximately 18 to 24 inches above said foot treadle, said treadle being of the elongated foot supporting type rockably supported for oscillation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the treadle intermediate its opposite ends. 